It is a truth universally acknowledged that your first CRM deployment is more likely to fail than succeed – 63% of CRM initiatives fail according to a 2013 survey by Merkle Group Inc. Just like your first love, despite the hopes, excitement and expectation, a mixture of naivety and youthful exuberance means the first foray into CRM is unlikely to stand the test of time.

The reality is that first time around mistakes will be made, and the results may be less satisfying than expected. Be honest: with the first CRM deployment, no business knows exactly what to expect and where it will go in the future.

But that is no reason to turn your back on CRM for life. Those organisations that have been burnt by their first CRM implementation often struggle to pluck up the courage to try again. But learning from the good and bad aspects of that …